Response from LectroFuel

8:07 pm October 10, 2017

The CX-5 diesel hasn't come out yet, so there is no opinion on the powertrain. It'll probably be a pretty good diesel because Mazda knows how to make a fun and efficient powertrain.

It all depends on your taste. The Forester has more off-road credibility with standard AWD, road noise, a roomier interior, a CVT, probably a more upright driving position, and a rugged, durable interior. The Mazda CX-5 has a much sportier driving experience, a smaller but much nicer interior, great handling, good looks inside and out, less road noise, and an available AWD system.

I much prefer the CX-5 personally because I've never been a fan of Subaru (boring IMO), it doesn't snow where I live, and the CX-5 is just plain better in almost every way IMO. There are still people that won't think it's for them. If you want a no-frills point A to B CUV then the Forester is OK. Otherwise go with the Mazda. They are both reliable CUVs (the Mazda being more reliable), but the Forester is more practical in some ways. Subaru has better visibility and many say a better driving position, while the Mazda's interior surrounds you and you may feel a littleclaustrophobic.

The diesel should be more torquey and you won't have to rev the engine a lot like in most Mazdas. No one knows about reliability and the first year of any car or engine is always a gamble because they are working out the bugs. I don't think the diesel would be under $25k either.

I'd consider the CR-V also, which I like as much or more than the CX-5. Very comfortable and quiet with high MPGs.

Response from NormT

7:18 am October 11, 2017

Once DEF is installed for US emissions you are looking at about 40 mpg,which what the 2018 GMC Terrain diesels sees.

The Subaru is good as an enter level, economy CUV and that is about all.

Motor Trend just reviewed the 2018 GMC Terrain and it is one-half second faster in their figure-eight handling test than is the CX-5. ThE figure eight test is just that but taxes the suspension, brajes , and engine/transmission. When you only have 148-185 horsepower, the power deficit shows.

Response from LectroFuel

9:27 pm October 12, 2017

The Terrain, which is an economy SUV, is just another GM rebranded Equinox, their other economy SUV. It's good to have economy SUVs because that's what most people buy.

The figure-eight tests are just a measure of grip. Steering feel in real world conditions is more important to the owner. In the CX-5 the ESC is over sensitive and that's why it got a lower score in the test, but in the real world it handles very well (probably better than the Terrain) when not pushed to the limit of the ESC kicking in. drjohn can't afford the base GMC Terrain which has 170 hp and manual climate control. All gas CX-5's get to 60 mph a full second quicker than the volume selling 1.5L in the Terrain, get better mileage, and have a nicer interior. The diesel Terrain 0-60 time is 10.6 seconds. The 2018 Terrain is a huge improvement, but if drjohn bought one it would be a base rental car model (GMC really strips the SL), which I'd avoid. The CX-5, CR-V, Forester, etc. will be a much better value, even with a base model.

Response from NormT

10:54 am October 13, 2017

MT figure eight test measure not only grip but accleration, braking power, along with shock dampening, sway bars, spring rates. It's the recipe that has the 2018 GMC Terrain one full second ahead of the 2018 CX-5 in that test. You see, the Japanese cook the books in making a lightweight, small, and great handling cuv that journalist rave about and get fuel economy as a result. When the buying public review the Mazda it is loud and rough riding and a turn off with just a ride around the block. So 2018 Mazda adds to the CX-5 missing sound deadening and adds heavier acoustic glass. Now the suspension is taxed with sway bar and spring rates from the previous updates along with shocks that need revalving.
Braking performance has suffered with the extra weight with longer stopping from 60 than a 2018 Terrain by over 10 feet. And if you want to compare real world economy, fuelly.com-which are owners reporting, has the new 2018 Equinox 1.5T besting the CX-5. Sorry to burst your Japanese bubble but most everyone is on the same playing field today and many have passed them up and especially on the cost to buy front thanks to dealerahips advertising on places like cars.com. It is public perception that lags because of you and the journalist want to protect their internet clicks and keep inflated resdiuals as the prices are higher to buy than non-Japanese, negating any excellent resdiuals value. The auto auctions thank you guys. This is especially the case for the Honda CR-V.
Regarding pricing and value the 2018 Terrain and CX-5 are dead even today and 3 year, 36,000 miles from now. The Subaru is $2,000 less today and $2,000 less in the same time period. This all based on info gathered from cars.com. It favors the Terrain if I used 2017 values as it is an out going model and the best deal here.
Though the base 2018 Terrain doesn't have dual zone climate control it does have rear seat upper vents. The Mazda does not until you go up to the Touring model. The Terrain SLE has dual zone and the CX-5 Touring has rear seat vents starting the last two years or so. Both cars are the same price on cars.com Early Mazda models do not have rear seat venting.
The 2018 Honda CR-V is the most expensive at $2,000 more than comparable 2018 Equinox. The Honda still offers the old 2.4l and is $5,000 more than a 2017 Eqyinox 2.4l. It is just over priced at all levels. And at 3 years, 36,000 miles later the CR-V cost less than a Equinox. Which means the more expensive, new Honda has dropped more in value than the Equinox.
The Terrain 1.5T receives the 9-speed transmission and has not been tested. Only the Equinox 1.5t 6-speed has been timed.